Replacement Levy will be on February Ballot

On Monday, December 11th, the Monroe School District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution to place a Replacement of Expiring School Program and Operations (SP&O) levy on the February 13, 2018 ballot.

The current Maintenance & Operations Levy, which voters approved in 2014, expires in 2018. The replacement SP&O levy will provide funding for schools through 2022 and is not a new tax. The levy dollars are needed to help support our growing number of students and continue with current programs.

"The School Board was very intentional in their decision to run a levy that would allow us to continue on the path we are on while not creating a new financial impact on our community," said Dr. Fredrika Smith, Monroe School District Superintendent. "Quite simply, we are asking our community to replace our local levy so we can continue to deliver on our commitment of powerful instruction, equitable access and high expectations to all of our students."

Replacement of Expiring School Program and Operations LevyThe Replacement SP&O Levy helps fund the following:

School safety and security

Student transportation

Special education programs

Student support programs

Professional learning

Extracurricular activities and athletics

Operations and building maintenance costs

Supplies and materials

If approved by voters, the Replacement SP&O Levy amount of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value will generate a maximum of:

$10,350,062 million in 2019 (estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

$11,902,571 million in 2020 (estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

$13,687,957 million in 2021 (estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

$15,741,150 million in 2022 (estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

In comparison, the 2017 levy tax rate is $3.06 per $1,000 assessed home value. If voters approve the Replacement SP&O Levy, the local school tax rate will decrease.

For a property owner with an assessed value of $300,000, the replacement SP&O levy equals approximately $450 annually, or $37.50 a month. As more people move into the Monroe School District boundary, more property owners contribute to the total levy amount. It's important to note that as our community grows, we will continue to collect a maximum of $1.50 per $1,000 from each household. In the event that the voter approved maximum collection amount is reached, the rate would be divided evenly among all taxpayers, resulting in a decrease in the rate. The levy rate will not go above the $1.50/$1,000 of assessed property value.

State Tax Shift/House Bill 2242In July 2017 the Washington State Legislature made a decision to increase the amount of funding the state provides to schools and to reduce the amount of local taxes school districts can request and collect. This property tax shift changes how school districts receive funding, but does not change why local levies are needed.

"The new state funding model comes with restrictions that reduce local control of funds," said Smith. "In other words, the programs and services we currently offer are not being fully funded by the state. In the past, our local levy dollars provided approximately 22 percent of our budget for educational programs, services and daily operations. The replacement levy would renew the current four-year levy that expires in 2018 allow us to continue on the positive path we are on."

General Ballot/Voting Information

January 15: Deadline for voter registration, address change and other updates.

January 26: Start of 18-day voting period. County Elections Departments may mail ballots before this date.

February 5: Deadline for new Washington State voter registration (in person only).

February 13: Special Election - ballots must be postmarked by midnight. They may also be dropped off at the 24-hour secure ballot drop box near the library at 1070 Village Way, Monroe, WA 98272. Drop boxes close promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Senior citizen and disabled persons exemptionsSenior citizens and disabled persons may qualify for a tax exemption. More information about tax relief programs is available on the Snohomish County Assessor's website or by calling 425-388-3433.